Lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens

ABSTRACT

A lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens includes lens frames having projections which extend radially outwards, wherein a cam follower is formed on each projection; a linear guide barrel; linear guide slots formed on the linear guide barrel parallel to the optical axis, wherein the projections of each lens frame are respectively engaged in the linear guide slots to be slidable therealong; a cam barrel fitted outside the linear guide barrel to be relatively rotatable about the optical axis thereto; and bottomed cam grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel, in which the cam followers of a corresponding lens frame are respectively engaged. The lens frames are moved in the direction of the optical axis, without rotating about the optical axis, to change a focal length of said zoom lens via rotation of said cam barrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a zoom lens (a zoom lens barrel), and more specifically to a mechanism for guiding more than one lens frame in the direction of the optical axis of the zoom lens.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] It is known in the art for a zoom lens, or a zoom lens barrel, having a mechanism which guides a plurality of lens frames (lens groups) in the optical axis direction of the zoom lens without rotating about the optical axis, so that the plurality of lens frames are driven in the optical axis direction in a predetermined moving manner by rotation of a cam barrel having cam grooves. In such a conventional lens guiding mechanism, the plurality of lens frames are individually guided along the optical axis without rotating about the optical axis, while the plurality of lens frames are driven in the optical axis direction in a predetermined moving manner in accordance with the contours of the cam grooves of the cam barrel. Such a conventional lens frame guiding mechanism has no substantial adverse effects if it is used for the zoom lens of a conventional camera using light-sensitive film such as 35 mm or APS compact zoom camera.

[0005] However, such a conventional lens frame guiding mechanism does have substantial adverse effects if it is used for the zoom lens of a digital camera because object images are formed on the sensitive surface of a small CCD (CCD image sensor) which is much smaller than the picture plane of conventional cameras using light sensitive film. Namely, upon assembly, every lens element of a digital camera must be optically centered, correctly spaced, and held firmly with a relatively high precision, e.g., tens times greater than that required in conventional cameras using light-sensitive film. For instance, if the angle of view is constant, the focal length of a photographing lens becomes shorter as the size of the picture plane reduces, which in turn reduces the sizes of all the elements of the photographing lens such as, e.g., lens elements, lens frames. Therefore, the influence that a tolerance (e.g., 10 μm) has on a photographing lens system of a digital camera is much larger than the influence that the same tolerance would have on a photographing lens system of a conventional camera using light-sensitive film. Accordingly, manufacturing or assembling error which falls within tolerance of optical performance in the photographing optical system of a conventional camera using light-sensitive film can be outside the tolerance of optical performance in the photographing optical system of a digital camera. Specifically in a photographing lens system of a digital camera, the influence that eccentricity or tilt of one or more lens frames (one or more lens groups) relative to another lens frame or frames (lens group or groups) has upon the optical performance of the photographing optical system is larger than the influence of deviation of one or more lens frames (one or more lens groups) in the optical axis direction relative to another lens frame or frames (another lens group or groups).

[0006] From this point of view, in the conventional lens frame guiding mechanism, a manufacturing or assembling error of each element of the zoom lens tends to exert adverse effects upon the optical performance of the photographing optical system since a plurality of lens frames are independently guided in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis. For instance, if there is positional error such as eccentricity in each of the lens frames, the linear guide member, and the cam barrel, there is a possibility of these errors being accumulated to deteriorate the optical performance of the photographing optical system, especially in the case of eccentricity of one or more lens groups relative to another lens group or groups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been device in view of the above-mentioned problems; accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lens frame guiding mechanism, used in a zoom lens, which guides a plurality of lens frames in the optical axis direction of the zoom lens without rotating about the optical axis so that the plurality of lens frames are driven in the optical axis direction by rotation of a cam barrel having cam grooves, wherein eccentricity of one or more lens groups relative to another lens group or groups does not occur easily.

[0008] To achieve the object mentioned above, according to an aspect of the present invention, a lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens is provided, including a plurality of lens frames each having a plurality of projections which extend radially outwards at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, wherein a cam follower is formed on each of the projections; a linear guide barrel provided around the plurality of lens frames, wherein the linear guide barrel is guided along the optical axis of the zoom lens without rotating; a plurality of linear guide slots formed on the linear guide barrel to extend parallel to the optical axis, wherein the number of the plurality of linear guide slots corresponds to the number of the plurality of projections of each of the lens frames so that the plurality of projections of each of the lens frames are respectively engaged in the plurality of linear guide slots to be slidable in a direction of the optical axis; a cam barrel fitted outside the linear guide barrel to be rotatable about the optical axis relative to the linear guide barrel; and a plurality of bottomed cam grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel for each of the plurality of lens frames, in which the plurality of cam followers of a corresponding lens frame of the plurality of lens frames are respectively engaged, wherein the profiles of the cam grooves for one of the plurality of lens frames is different from the profiles of the cam grooves for the other of the plurality of lens frames. The plurality of lens frames are moved in the direction of the optical axis, without rotating about the optical axis, to change a focal length of the zoom lens via rotation of the cam barrel.

[0009] Preferably, the number of projections of each of the lens frames, the number of the linear guide slots of the linear guide barrel, and the number of the bottomed cam grooves of the cam barrel are three, respectively arranged at 120° equi-angular intervals.

[0010] Preferably, the cam barrel is fitted on the linear guide barrel so as to be immovable in the direction of the optical axis relative to the linear guide barrel.

[0011] Preferably, each of the plurality of projections is formed to have opposite faces extending parallel to each other so that the opposite faces are respectively in sliding contact with side faces of a corresponding linear guide slot of the plurality of linear guide slots.

[0012] In an embodiment, the zoom lens is incorporated in a digital camera.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens is provided, including a first lens frame having a first group of three projections extending radially outwards at equi-angular intervals, each of the first group of three projections having a first cam follower; a second lens frame having a second group of three projections extending radially outwards at equi-angular intervals, each of the second group three projections having a second cam follower; a linear guide barrel provided around the first lens frame and the second lens frame, and guided in a direction of the optical axis without rotating about the optical axis; three linear guide slots formed on the linear guide barrel so as to extend parallel to the optical axis, the first group of three projections and the second group of three projections being slidably engaged in the three linear guide slots, respectively; a cam barrel fitted on the linear guide barrel to be rotatable about the optical axis relative to the linear guide barrel; a first group of three cam grooves which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel so that the three first cam followers are respectively engaged in the first three cam grooves; and a second group of three cam grooves which are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel so that the three second cam followers are respectively engaged in the second group of three cam grooves. The first and second lens frames are moved in the direction of the optical axis, without rotating about the optical axis, in a predetermined moving manner to change a focal length of the zoom lens by rotation of the cam barrel.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No.2000-24039 (filed on Feb. 1, 2000) which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a zoom lens according to the present invention, showing the overall structure thereof;

[0017]FIG. 2 is an axial cross sectional view of the zoom lens shown in FIG. 1, showing the zoom lens above the optical axis thereof;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a developed view of the inner peripheral surface of a first cam barrel, showing the contours of first and second cam grooves formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cam barrel;

[0019]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first cam barrel shown in FIG. 3, a linear guide barrel, a first lens frame and a second lens frame;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear view of the linear guide barrel and the first lens frame, showing the periphery of an insertion groove of the linear guide barrel;

[0021]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the linear guide barrel, a linear guide ring and a retainer ring;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a developed view of the linear guide barrel, the linear guide ring and the retainer ring;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a developed view of a second cam barrel and a barrier drive ring, showing the positional relationship therebetween when the zoom lens is set at the telephoto extremity thereof (when the zoom lens is in a ready-to-photograph state);

[0024]FIG. 9 is a developed view of the second cam barrel and the barrier drive ring, showing the positional relationship therebetween when the zoom lens is positioned in the accommodation position (when the power of the zoom lens is turned OFF);

[0025]FIG. 10 is an axial cross sectional view of the zoom lens show in FIG. 1, showing the zoom lens above the optical axis thereof, showing the positional relationship between an external barrel and the second cam barrel (a first lens group) when the zoom lens is set at the wide-angle extremity thereof;

[0026]FIG. 11 is an axial cross sectional view of the zoom lens show in FIG. 1, showing the zoom lens above the optical axis thereof, and showing the positional relationship between the external barrel and the second cam barrel (the first lens group) when the zoom lens is set at the telephoto extremity thereof;

[0027]FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing variations in axial position of the sensitive surface (image plane) of a CCD, the first lens group, a second lens group, and a barrier block when the zoom lens is driven from the accommodation position to the telephoto extremity and thereafter to the wide-angle extremity;

[0028]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the barrier block, viewed from behind the barrier block;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the barrier block with an annular pressure plate being removed from the barrier block, viewed from behind the barrier block;

[0030]FIG. 15A is a schematic front view of the barrier block, showing two pairs of barrier blades in a fully open position;

[0031]FIG. 15B is a schematic front view of the barrier block, showing the two pairs of barrier blades in a half-closed position;

[0032]FIG. 15C is a schematic front view of the barrier block, showing the two pairs of barrier blades in a fully closed position;

[0033]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second cam barrel and the barrier drive ring, showing the positional relationship between a driven lever which extends from the barrier drive ring and a rotation transfer recess formed on the second cam barrel;

[0034]FIG. 17 is a front view of the external barrel that is supported by the external barrel to be freely rotatable about the optical axis, in a state where the barrier drive ring is rotated to one rotational limit thereof to thereby fully close the two pairs of barrier blades; and

[0035]FIG. 18 is a front view of the external barrel shown in FIG. 17, in a state where the barrier drive ring is rotated to the other rotational limit thereof to thereby fully open the two pairs of barrier blades.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0036] A preferred embodiment of a zoom lens (zoom lens barrel) according to the present invention that is incorporated in a digital camera will be hereinafter discussed. Firstly, the overall structure of the zoom lens will be discussed with reference mainly to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the drawings and the following descriptions, symbols “(F)”, “(L)” and “(RL)” which are each appended as a suffix to the reference numeral of some elements of the zoom lens barrel indicate that the element is stationary, the element is movable linearly along an optical axis O of the zoom lens without rotating about the optical axis O, and the element is movable along the optical axis O while rotating about the optical axis O, respectively.

[0037] The photographic optical system of the zoom lens includes three lens groups; namely, a first lens group (front lens group) L1 (L), a second lens group (middle lens group) L2 (L) and a third lens group (rear lens group) L3 (L), in this order from the object side (the left side as viewed in FIG. 2). The zoom lens performs zooming by moving the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 along the optical axis O relative to the sensitive surface of a stationary CCD 12 a (see FIG. 1) and at the same time changing the space between the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 in a predetermined manner. The zoom lens performs a focusing operation by moving the third lens group L3 along the optical axis O to bring an object into focus. The third lens group L3 functions as a focusing lens group which is driven along the optical axis O independently of the axial position of each of the first and second lens groups L1 and L2. Thus, the zoom lens is an internal-focusing type zoom lens having a lens construction which allows the focus to be altered by moving the rearmost lens group provided as a focusing lens group internally within the lens barrel.

[0038] The zoom lens is provided with a housing 10(F) which is fixed to a camera body of a digital camera (not shown). The housing 10 can be integral with the camera body to be provided as an element thereof. The zoom lens is provided in the housing 10 with a stationary barrel 11(F) that is fixed to the housing 10. The stationary barrel 11 is provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof with a fine male thread 11 a. The stationary barrel 11 is provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof with a female helicoid (female helicoidal thread) 11 b and three linear guide grooves 11 c (only one is shown in FIG. 1) extending parallel to the optical axis O, i.e., extending in the optical axis direction. The three linear guide grooves 11 c are formed to cut across the female helicoid 11 b. The three linear guide grooves 11 c are formed at 120° intervals (i.e., at an equi-angular distance) about the axis of the stationary barrel 11.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 is provided with a CCD insertion opening 10 a, a filter fixing portion 10 b and a focusing lens group guide portion 10 c. The CCD 12 a which is fixed to a substrate 12 is positioned in the CCD insertion opening 10 a. A filter 10 d such as a low-pass filter is fixed to the filter fixing portion 10 b. The third lens group L3 is guided by the focusing lens group guide portion 10 c to be movable in the optical axis direction. The axial position of the third lens group L3 on the optical axis O is determined by the direction of rotation of a feed screw 10 e and the angle of rotation (amount of rotation) thereof. The feed screw 10 e extends parallel to the optical axis O from the camera body in the focusing lens group guide portion 10 c. The feed screw 10 e is driven by a pulse motor (not shown) provided in the camera body. The angle of rotation of the feed screw 10 e is controlled via an encoder (not shown) of the pulse motor.

[0040] The zoom lens is provided on the stationary barrel 11 with a rotational barrel 13 (RL). The rotational barrel 13 is provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof with a fine female thread 13 a which meshes with the fine male thread 11 a of the stationary barrel 11. The rotational barrel 13 is provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof with a circumferential gear 13 b (see FIG. 1). The rotational barrel 13 is driven to rotate about the optical axis O by a drive pinion (not shown) which meshes with the circumferential gear 13 b. When the rotational barrel 13 is driven to rotate about the optical axis O, the rotational barrel 13 moves in the optical axis direction while rotating about the optical axis O in accordance with the engagement of the fine female thread 13 a with the fine male thread 11 a. The rotational barrel 13 is provided at the front end of an inner peripheral surface thereof with three inward projections 13 c at 120° intervals about the axis of the rotational barrel 13. As shown in FIG. 1, a flexible coding plate 14 (RL) is fixed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotational barrel 13 along a circumference thereof, while a brush 15 (F) that is in contact with the coding plate 14 is fixed to the housing 10. The brush 15 remains in sliding contact with the coding plate 14 regardless of a movement of the coding plate 14 relative to the brush 15 when the coding plate 14 moves in the optical axis direction in accordance with the engagement of the fine female thread 13 a with the fine male thread 11 a, so as to sense the rotational position of the rotational barrel 13 as digital and/or analogue information. The fine female thread 13 a, which is provided on the rotational barrel 13, is provided as a device for supporting the rotational barrel 13 on the stationary barrel 11 so that the rotational barrel 13 can rotate freely about the optical axis O on the stationary barrel 11. However, alternatively, the rotational barrel 13 can be supported on the stationary barrel 11 so as to be able to rotate freely about the optical axis O without moving in the optical axis direction relative to the stationary barrel 11.

[0041] The zoom lens is further provided with a linear guide barrel 16 (L), a first cam barrel 17 (RL) and a second cam barrel 18 (RL). The first cam barrel 17 is fitted on the linear guide barrel 16 to be rotatable about the optical axis O relative to the linear guide barrel 16 and to be immovable in the optical axis direction relative to the linear guide barrel 16. The second cam barrel 18 is fitted on the front end of the first cam barrel 17 to be rotatable together with the first cam barrel 17 about the optical axis O and also to be movable in the optical axis direction relative to the first cam barrel 17. The linear guide barrel 16, the first cam barrel 17 and the second cam barrel 18 are assembled in advance as a unit, and the rear of this barrel unit is positioned in the stationary barrel 11. The linear guide barrel 16 is provided at the rear end thereof with an outer flange 16 a. A linear guide ring (flange ring) 19(L) is fixed to the front end of the linear guide barrel 16 via a retainer ring 20(L). The first cam barrel 17 is held between the outer flange 16 a and the linear guide ring 19, and is rotatable about the optical axis O relative to the linear guide barrel 16 and also movable together with the linear guide barrel 16 in the optical axis direction.

[0042] The second cam ring 18, which is fitted on the front end of the first cam barrel 17, is provided at the rear end thereof with three linear guide portions 18 a (only two are shown in FIG. 1) at 120° intervals about the axis of the second cam ring 18. Each of the three linear guide portions 18 a is provided with a spring holding groove 18 a 1, and a pair of guide grooves 18 a 2 positioned on the opposite sides of the spring holding groove 18 a 1 in a circumferential direction of the second cam ring 18 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Each of the three linear guide portions 18 a is further provided, in each spring holding groove 18 a 1 at the front end (the left end as viewed in FIG. 8 or 9) of each spring holding groove 18 a 1, with an engaging projection 18 a 3. All of the spring holding grooves 18 a 1 and the pairs of guide grooves 18 a 2 extend parallel to the optical axis O. The first cam barrel 17 is provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof with three stopper portions 17 a (only two are shown in FIG. 1) at 120° intervals about the axis of the first cam barrel 17. Each of the three stopper portions 17 a is provided with a stopper projection 17 a 1, and a pair of guide projections 17 a 2 positioned on the opposite sides of the stopper projection 17 a 1 in a circumferential direction of the first cam barrel 17 (see FIG. 4). Each pair of guide projections 17 a 2 of the first cam barrel 17 are respectively fitted in the corresponding pair of guide grooves 18 a 2 of the second cam ring 18 to be slidable in the optical axis direction relative to the second cam ring 18, with a compression spring 21 being held between each engaging projection 18 a 3 and the corresponding stopper projection 17 a 1. Due to this structure, the second cam barrel 18 can slide on the first cam barrel 17 in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O relative to the first cam barrel 17. The compression springs 21 constatntly bias the second cam barrel 18 toward the front of the zoom lens, so that the front end of the second cam barrel 18 is usually in press-contact with the linear guide ring 19. The second cam barrel 18 can move rearward, toward the rear of the zoom lens, against the spring force of the compression springs 21 by an amount of movement corresponding to a predetermined clearance in the optical axis direction between the guide grooves 18 a 2 and the guide projections 17 a 2. The second cam barrel 18 can also be slightly inclined with respect to the first cam barrel 17 (i.e., with respect to the optical axis O) by an amount of inclination corresponding to a predetermined clearance in a radial direction between the inner peripheral surface of the second cam barrel 18 and the corresponding outer peripheral surface of the first cam barrel 17.

[0043] The first cam barrel 17 is provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof with a male helicoid (male helicoidal thread) 17 b that is engaged with the female helicoid 11 b of the stationary barrel 11, and three rotation transmission grooves 17 c that extend parallel to the optical axis O. The three rotation transmission grooves 17 c are formed so as to cut across the male helicoid 17 b. The three rotation transmission grooves 17 c are formed at 120° intervals about the axis of the first cam barrel 17. The three inward projections 13 c of the rotational barrel 13 are respectively engaged with the three rotation transmission grooves 17 c to be relatively slidable to each other. The linear guide barrel 16 is provided on the outer flange 16 a thereof with three linear guide projections 16 b at 120° intervals about the axis of the linear guide barrel 16. Each linear guide projection 16 b extends radially outwards to be engaged with the corresponding linear guide groove 11 c of the stationary barrel 11. The linear guide barrel 16 is further provided with three linear guide slots 16 c at 120° intervals about the axis of the linear guide barrel 16 so that the circumferential positions of the three linear guide slots 16 c coincide with those of the three linear guide projections 16 b. Each of the three linear guide slots 16 c penetrates the linear guide barrel 16 radially and extends parallel to the optical axis O.

[0044] As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, each of the three linear guide slots 16 c opens at the rear end of the linear guide barrel 16, and the rear end of each linear guide slot 16 c is covered by the corresponding part of the outer flange 16 a and the corresponding linear guide projection 16 b at the radially outer side of the linear guide barrel 16. The outer flange 16 a is provided with three insertion grooves 16 h which respectively extend along a portion of each three linear guide slots 16 c from the front end of the outer flange 16 a to each respective rear end of the three linear guide slots 16 c (i.e., the rear end of the outer flange 16 a), so that a follower pin (cam follower) 22 d and a follower pin (cam follower) 23 d can be inserted into each linear guide slot 16 c from the corresponding insertion groove 16 h.

[0045] When the barrel unit which includes the linear guide barrel 16, the first cambarrel 17 and the second cam barrel 18 is coupled to the stationary barrel 11 and the rotational barrel 13, each of the three linear guide projections 16 b of the linear guide barrel 16 is inserted into the corresponding linear guide groove 11 c of the stationary barrel 11 via a corresponding introducing groove 11 d formed on an inner peripheral surface of the stationary barrel 11, and each of the three inward projections 13 c of the rotational barrel 13 is inserted into the corresponding rotation transmission groove 17 c of the first cam barrel 17 via a corresponding introducing groove 17 d formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first cam barrel 17. After each linear guide projection 16 b and each inward projection 13 c are inserted into the corresponding linear guide groove 11 c and the corresponding rotation transmission groove 17 c, respectively, the female helicoid 11 b of the stationary barrel 11 and the male helicoid 17 b of the first cam barrel 17 mesh with each other.

[0046]FIG. 2 shows a state where the barrel unit, which includes the linear guide barrel 16, the first cam barrel 17 and the second cam barrel 18, has been coupled to the stationary barrel 11 and the rotational barrel 13. In this state, rotating the rotational barrel 13 about the optical axis O via the gear 13 b causes the rotational barrel 13 to move in the optical axis direction while rotating about the optical axis O due to the engagement of the fine female thread 13 a with the fine male thread 11 a. At the same time, the rotation of the rotational barrel 13 is transmitted to the first cam barrel 17 and the second cam barrel 18, which is fitted on the first cam barrel 17, due to the engagement of the inward projections 13 c with the rotation transmission grooves 17 c, so that the first cam barrel 17 and the second cam barrel 18 rotate about the optical axis O. At this time, the first cam barrel 17 and the second cam barrel 18 also move in the optical axis direction O due to the engagement of the male helicoid 17 b with the female helicoid 11 b. Furthermore, the linear guide barrel 16 moves in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O due to the engagement of the linear guide projections 16 b with the linear guide grooves 11 c, and at the same time the first and second cam barrels 17 and 18, which rotate about the optical axis O relative to the linear guide barrel 16, move together with the linear guide barrel 16 in the optical axis direction.

[0047] The first cam barrel 17 is provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof with three first cam grooves 17C1 for driving the first lens group L1, and three second cam grooves 17C2 for driving the second lens group L2. FIG. 3 is a developed view of the inner peripheral surface of the first cam barrel 17, showing the contours of the first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2. The three first cam grooves 17C1 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cam barrel 17 at 120° intervals about the axis of the first cam barrel 17. Likewise, the three second cam grooves 17C2 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cam barrel 17 at 120° intervals about the axis of the first cam barrel 17. Each of the first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2 has three predetermined positions: an accommodation position, a telephoto position and a wide-angle, in this order along the direction of rotation of the first cam barrel 17 (the vertical direction as viewed in FIG. 3). The telephoto position shown in FIG. 3 of each cam groove 17C1 and 17C2 determines the telephoto extremity of the corresponding lens groups L1 and L2, respectively; the wide-angle position of each cam groove 17C1 and 17C2 determines the wide-angle extremity of the corresponding lens groups L1 and L2, respectively; and the accommodation position of each cam groove 17C1 and 17C2 determines the position of the corresponding lens groups L1 and L2, respectively, when the power of the digital camera is turned OFF. The angle of rotation from the accommodation position to the wide-angle extremity position is shown by “A” in FIG. 3.

[0048] The zoom lens is provided with a first lens frame 22(L) and a second lens frame 23(L) which support the first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2, respectively. The first lens frame 22 is guided by the first cam grooves 17C1 and the linear guide slots 16 c to be movable in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O. Likewise, the second lens frame 23 is guided by the second cam grooves 17C2 and the linear guide slots 16 c to be movable in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O. The first lens frame 22 is provided with three resilient extending pieces 22 b which extend rearward from a cylindrical portion 22 a of the first lens frame 22. The three resilient extending pieces 22 b are formed on the first lens frame 22 at 120° intervals about the axis of the first lens frame 22. Each resilient extending piece 22 b is provided on a radially outer surface thereof with a square projection 22 c which extends radially outwards to be fitted in the corresponding linear guide slot 16 c in a slidable manner in the optical axis direction. Each resilient extending piece 22 b is further provided on top of each square projection 22 c with the follower pin (cam follower) 22 d, which is fixed to the resilient extending piece 22 b to extend radially outwards. Each square projection 22 c is formed so that the opposite faces thereof, which are respectively in sliding contact with the side faces of the corresponding linear guide slot 16 c, extend parallel to each other. The zoom lens is provided with a first lens holder 22 e which encloses the first lens group L1 to hold the same. The first lens holder 22 e is fixed to the cylindrical portion 22 a of the first lens frame 22 via male and female threads 22 f which are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first lens holder 22 e and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22 a, respectively. The position of the first lens group L1 relative to the first lens frame 22 in the optical axis direction can be adjusted by varying the amount of engagement between the male and female threads 22 f. A wave washer 22 h is held between the holder 22 e and an inner flange 22 g of the first lens frame 22 to remove the play between the first lens holder 22 e (or the first lens group L1) and the first lens frame 22 (see FIG. 2).

[0049] The second lens frame 23 is provided with three resilient extending pieces 23 b which extend forward from an annular plate portion 23 a of the second lens frame 23. The three resilient extending pieces 23 b are formed on the second lens frame 23 at 120° intervals about the axis of the second lens frame 23. Each resilient extending piece 23 b is provided on a radially outer surface thereof with a square projection 23 c which extends radially outwards to be fitted in the corresponding linear guide slot 16 c in a slidable manner in the optical axis direction. Each resilient extending piece 23 b is further provided on top of each square projection 23 c with the aforementioned follower pin 23 d, which is fixed to the resilient extending piece 23 b to extend radially outwards. The square projections 23 c and the follower pins 23 d of the second lens frame 23 are identical to the square projections 22 c and the follower pins 22 d of the first lens frame 22 except that the resilient extending pieces 23 b of the second lens frame 23 extend in the direction opposite to the resilient extending pieces 22 b of the first lens frame 22 in the optical axis direction. The zoom lens is provided with a second lens holder 23 e which encloses the second lens group L2 to hold the same. The second lens holder 23 e is fixed to the annular plate portion 23 a of the second lens frame 23 via set screws 23 f. A shutter block 24 is provided around the second lens group L2. The shutter block 24 is fixed to the annular plate portion 23 a of the second lens frame 23 via the set screws 23 f that are screwed into the rear of the shutter block 24. The shutter block 24 functions to interrupt light bundles which are incident on the CCD 12 a at a shutter release operation.

[0050] Each of the first and second lens frames 22 and 23 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O by the engagement of each of the three square projections 22 c and corresponding each of the three square projections 23 c with each common corresponding linear guide slot of the three linear guide slots 16 c. Each follower pin 22 d penetrates the corresponding linear guide slot 16 c of the linear guide barrel 16 to be engaged with the corresponding first cam groove 17C1 of the first cam barrel 17, which is fitted on the linear guide barrel 16 to be rotatable about the optical axis relative to linear guide barrel 16. Likewise, each follower pin 23 d penetrates the corresponding linear guide slot 16 c of the linear guide barrel 16 to be engaged with the corresponding second cam groove 17C2 of the first cam barrel 17. When the first and second lens frames 22 and 23 are placed in the linear guide barrel 16 and the first cam barrel 17, firstly each of the three square projections 22 c and corresponding one of the three square projections 23 c are inserted into a corresponding linear guide slot of the three linear guide slots 16 c from the rear end face of the linear guide barrel 16. At the same time, each of the three follower pins 22 d and corresponding one of the three follower pins 23 d are inserted into corresponding one of the three insertion grooves 16 h to be fitted in the corresponding first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2, respectively. It should be noted that the hatched areas of the first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2 in FIG. 3 are used solely for the purpose of inserting each follower pin 22 d or 23 d into the corresponding cam groove 17C1 or 17C2 during assembly, and thus are not used when the zoom lens is in operation.

[0051] According to the above described guide structure, rotating the rotational barrel 13 about the optical axis O causes the barrel unit which includes the linear guide barrel 16, the first cam barrel 17 and the second cam barrel 18 to move in the optical axis direction. During this movement of the barrel unit, the first and second cam barrels 17 and 18 rotate together about the optical axis O, but the linear guide barrel 16 does not rotate about the optical axis O. As a result, the first lens frame 22 (the first lens group L1) and the second lens frame 23 (the second lens group L2) linearly move in the optical axis direction while changing the space therebetween in accordance with the contours of the first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2 to thereby carry out a zooming operation.

[0052] The coupling structure of the linear guide ring 19 and the retainer ring 20 to the front end of the linear guide barrel 16 will be hereinafter discussed with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The linear guide barrel 16 is provided, at the front end thereof at 120° intervals about the axis of the linear guide barrel 16, with three engaging lugs 16 d each of which extends radially outwards. A receiving area 16 e is formed between any two adjacent engaging lugs 16 d of the linear guide barrel 16 in order to receive one of three radially inward projections 19 a of the linear guide ring 19. The linear guide barrel 16 is provided immediately behind the three engaging lugs 16 d with three grooves 16 f, respectively. The radius of the linear guide barrel 16 from the axis of the linear guide barrel 16 to the bottom surface of each groove 16 f is identical to the radius from the axis of the linear guide barrel 16 to the surface of each receiving area 16 e. The linear guide barrel 16 is provided behind the three engaging lugs 16 d with three recesses 16 g, respectively, each of which is connected with the corresponding groove 16 f. Each recess 16 g is recessed rearward (toward the right as viewed in FIG. 7) in the direction parallel to the optical axis O, i.e., in the optical axis direction.

[0053] On the other hand, the linear guide ring 19 is provided with the aforementioned three inward projections 19 a at 120° intervals about the axis of the linear guide ring 19. The three inward projections 19 a can be inserted into the three receiving areas 16 e, respectively. If the linear guide ring 19 is rotated about the axis thereof clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 relative to the linear guide barrel 16 with the three inward projections 19 a being properly inserted into the three receiving areas 16 e, respectively, each inward projection 19 a slides into the corresponding groove 16 f. The linear guide ring 19 is provided with three radially outward projections 19 b at 120° intervals about the axis of the linear guide ring 19. The circumferential positions of the three outward projections 19 b are precisely determined with reference to the circumferential positions of the three inward projections 19 a.

[0054] The retainer ring 20 is provided with radially inward blades 20 a at 120° intervals about the axis of the retainer ring 20. The three inward blades 20 a can be inserted into the three receiving areas 16 e of the linear guide barrel 16, respectively. If the retainer ring 20 is rotated about the axis thereof clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 relative to the linear guide barrel 16 with the three inward blades 20 a being properly inserted into the three receiving areas 16 e, respectively, each inward blade 20 a slides into the corresponding groove 16 f. The retainer ring 20 is provided on the front end face thereof with a plurality of grooves 20 b which are recessed rearward, toward the linear guide barrel 16, so that a pin face wrench (not shown) can be engaged with the recessed portions 20 b to rotate the retainer ring 20 relative to the linear guide barrel 16.

[0055] When the linear guide ring 19 is fixed to the front end of the linear guide barrel 16, firstly the three inward projections 19 a are respectively inserted into the three receiving areas 16 e, and then the linear guide ring 19 is rotated about the axis thereof clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 relative to the linear guide barrel 16 so that each inward projection 19 a slides into the corresponding groove 16 f. Subsequently, each inward projection 19 a is made to be fitted in the corresponding recess 16 g. This engagement of each inward projection 19 a with the corresponding recess 16 g determines the fixed circumferential position of the linear guide ring 19 relative to the linear guide barrel 16. Subsequently, the inward blades 20 a of the retainer ring 20 are respectively inserted into the three receiving areas 16 e, and then the retainer ring 20 is rotated about the axis thereof clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 relative to the linear guide barrel 16 so that each inward blade 20 a slides into the corresponding groove 16 f and presses the corresponding inward projection 19 a into the corresponding recess 16 g. This prevents the linear guide ring 19 from moving in the optical axis direction relative to the linear guide barrel 16. In this state, since each of the three inward blades 20 a of the retainer ring 20 is held in one of the three grooves 16 f between the corresponding engaging lug 16 d and the corresponding inward projection 19 a, the inward blades 20 a and the engaging lugs 16 d function to prevent the linear guide ring 19 from coming off the front end of the linear guide barrel 16. Between the linear guide barrel 16 and the retainer ring 20 is provided a click-stop device which prevents the retainer ring 20 from rotating counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 so that the retainer ring 20 cannot come off the front end of the linear guide barrel 16 after the retainer ring 20 is properly engaged with the linear guide barrel 16. Three indentations 20 a 1 which are formed on the retainer ring 20 and corresponding three detent 16 j which are formed on the linear guide barrel 16 to be respectively engaged with the three indentations 20 a 1 constitute the elements of the click-stop device (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0056] Accordingly, the outward projections 19 b of the linear guide ring 19 that is fixed to the front end of the linear guide barrel 16 in the above described manner are located at predetermined specific positions (angular positions) relative to the linear guide projections 16 b. The zoom lens is provided at the front thereof with an external barrel (a hood barrel) 25(L). The external barrel 25 is provided, on an inner peripheral surface thereof at 120° intervals about the axis of the external barrel 25, with three linear guide grooves 25 a which extend parallel to the optical axis O. The three outward projections 19 b of the linear guide ring 19 are respectively engaged with the three linear guide grooves 25 a to guide the external barrel 25 to move in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O. The external barrel 25 is provided at the rear end thereof with three radially inward pins 25 b which are respectively engaged with three guide grooves 18 b formed on outer peripheral surface of the second cam barrel 18 at 120° intervals about the axis thereof.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, each of the three guide grooves 18 b of the second cam barrel 18 defines an assembling position (or a disassembling position) X at which the three inward pins 25 b of the external barrel 25 are respectively inserted into or taken out of the three guide grooves 18 b of the second cam barrel 18. Each of the three guide grooves 18 b further defines an accommodation position, a telephoto position and a wide-angle extremity, which determine the accommodation position, the telephoto extremity and the wide-angle extremity of the first cam barrel 17, respectively. The three guide grooves 18 b are formed to move the external barrel 25 in the optical axis direction in accordance with the rotational position of the second cam barrel 18, which rotates together with the first cam barrel 17. More specifically, the three guide grooves 18 b are formed to make the external barrel 25 function as a movable lens hood so that the external barrel 25 advances relative to the second cam barrel 18 (i.e., the first lens group L1) when the zoom lens is set at the telephoto extremity thereof having a narrow angle of view while the external barrel 25 retreats relative to the second cam barrel 18 when the zoom lens is set at the wide-angle extremity thereof having a wide angle of view. The external barrel 25 is positioned in the wide-angle extremity thereof and the telephoto extremity thereof in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, respectively.

[0058] If the external barrel 25 is pressed rearward (i.e., toward the camera body) by an external force when the camera is in use, the compression springs 21 function as shock absorbers which can absorb at least part of such an external force since the compression springs 21 are positioned between the first cam barrel 17, which guides the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 in the optical axis direction, and the second cam barrel 18, which guides the external barrel 25 in the optical axis direction. Such an external force is transmitted partly to the first cam barrel 17 after having been absorbed to some extent by the compression springs 21, which prevents large external forces from being applied to the first cam barrel 17. Consequently, the precision of the axial position of each of the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 is influenced negligibly by external forces applied to the external barrel 25. In FIG. 2, the reference numeral 29(F) designates a stationary external barrel which is integral with the camera body. The external barrel 25 advances and retreats with respect to the stationary external barrel 29.

[0059] The external barrel 25 is provided, at the front thereof in the radially inner side of the external barrel 25, with a barrier drive ring 26, so that the barrier drive ring 26 can rotate about the optical axis O. The barrier drive ring 26 functions to open and shut two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d (i.e. the front pair of barrier blades 27 c and the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d) by rotating about the optical axis O. The two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d together function as a lens protection cover for protecting the front surface of the first lens group L1 from getting scratched, etc., when the digital camera is not in use. The barrier block 27 is provided with a panel 27 b having a photographic aperture 27 a, the aforementioned two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d supported by the panel 27 b therebehind to open and close the photographic aperture 27 a, and two torsion springs 27 e which constantly bias the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d in a direction to close the photographic aperture 27 a. The barrier block 27 is further provided with an annular pressure plate 27 f which holds the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d and the torsion springs 27 e between the panel 27 b and the pressure plate 27 f. The barrier block 27 having such elements is assembled in advance as a unit. The panel 27 b is provided on a rear face thereof with two pivots 27 g (see FIGS. 13 and 14) and two engaging pins 27 n. The upper front barrier blade 27 c 1 of the front pair of barrier blades 27 c and the upper rear barrier blade 27 d 1 of the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d are pivoted at corresponding one of the two pivots 27 g (the right pivot 27 g as viewed in FIG. 13), while the lower front barrier blade 27 c 2 of the front pair of barrier blades 27 c and the lower rear barrier blade 27 d 2 of the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d are pivoted at the other pivot 27 g (the left pivot 27 g as viewed in FIG. 13). Each of the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d is constantly biased to rotate in a direction to close the photographic aperture 27 a of the panel 27 b by the corresponding torsion spring 27 e whose coil portion is fitted on the corresponding engaging pin 27 n. Each of the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d is provided in the vicinity of the pivoted portion thereof with a driven pin 27 h that is driven to open the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d against the spring force of the corresponding torsion spring 27 e. Each of the front pair of barrier blades 27 c is provided on an outer edge thereof with an engaging projection 27 i which extends rearward to be engaged with the outer edge of the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d so that the engaging projection 27 i of each of the front pair of barrier blades 27 c comes into engagement with the outer edge of the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d to rotate the corresponding front barrier blade 27 c in the direction to open the photographic aperture 27 a together with the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d when the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d is driven to rotate in the direction to open the photographic aperture 27 a. The upper front barrier blade 27 cl is provided on a rear surface thereof with an engaging projection 27 j, while the upper rear barrier blade 27 d 1 is provided on a front surface thereof with an engaging projection 27 k (see FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C). When the upper rear barrier blade 27 d 1 is driven to rotate in the direction to close the photographic aperture 27 a, the engaging projection 27 k of the upper rear barrier blade 27 d 1 is engaged with the engaging projection 27 j of the upper front barrier blade 27 c 1 to drive the upper front barrier blade 27 c 1 to rotate in the direction to close the photographic aperture 27 a together with the upper rear barrier blade 27 d 1. Likewise, the lower front barrier blade 27 c 2 is provided on a rear surface thereof with an engaging projection 27 j, while the lower rear barrier blade 27 d 2 is provided on a front surface thereof with an engaging projection 27 k (see FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C). When the lower rear barrier blade 27 d 2 is driven to rotate in the direction to close the photographic aperture 27 a, the engaging projection 27 k of the lower rear barrier blade 27 d 2 is engaged with the engaging projection 27 j of the lower front barrier blade 27 c 2 to drive the lower front barrier blade 27 c 2 to rotate in the direction to close the photographic aperture 27 a together with the lower rear barrier blade 27 d 2.

[0060] The pressure plate 27 f is provided with two slots 27 m through which the two drive pins 27 h of the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d penetrate toward the barrier drive ring 26, respectively.

[0061] The barrier drive ring 26 is provided on the front thereof with two protrusions 26 b, while the external barrel 25 is provided in the vicinity of the front end thereof with corresponding two protrusions 25 c (see FIGS. 16, 17 and 18). Two helical extension springs 28 are positioned between the external barrel 25 and the barrier drive ring 26 so that one and the other ends of one helical extension spring 28 are hooked on one of the two protrusions 26 b and corresponding one of the two protrusions 25 c, respectively, and one and the other ends of the other helical extension spring 28 are hooked on the other protrusion 26 b and the other protrusion 25 c, respectively. The spring force of each helical extension spring 28 is stronger than the spring force of each torsion spring 27 e. The barrier drive ring 26 is constantly biased by the two helical extension springs 28 to rotate in the direction to open the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d. The barrier drive ring 26 is provided on the front thereof with two protrusions 26 c which can be respectively engaged with the two drive pins 27 h of the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d to open the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d. When the barrier drive ring 26 is rotated to the rotational limit thereof by the spring force of the helical extension springs 28, each of the two protrusions 26 c is engaged with the corresponding driven pin 27 h to push the same in the direction to open the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d against the spring force of the corresponding torsion spring 27 e, so that the corresponding front barrier blade 27 c also opens via the engaging projection 27 i thereof (see FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C).

[0062] On the other hand, the barrier drive ring 26 is provided with a driven lever 26 a which extends from the rim of the barrier drive ring 26 toward the second cam barrel 18 to be engaged with, and disengaged from, a rotation transfer recess 18 c formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second cam barrel 18 (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 16). Since the barrier drive ring 26 is supported by the external barrel 25 to be rotatable about the optical axis O relative to the external barrel 25, but immovable in the optical axis direction relative to the external barrel 25, the barrier drive ring 26 moves toward and away from the rotating second cam barrel 18 if the external barrel 25 linearly moves in the optical axis direction due to the engagement of the inward pins 25 b of the external barrel 25 with the guide grooves 18 b of the second cam barrel 18 as can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. The driven lever 26 a and the rotation transfer recess 18 c are apart from each other when positioned within a photographing range (i.e., between the telephoto extremity and the wide-angle extremity) as shown in FIG. 8. When the zoom barrel retreats from the telephoto extremity thereof to the accommodation position thereof, the driven lever 26 a approaches the rotation transfer recess 18 c and is then engaged with the rotation transfer recess 18 c to apply a force to the barrier drive ring 26 to rotate the same in the direction to close the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d. When the barrier drive ring 26 rotates to the rotational limit thereof against the spring force of the helical extension springs 28, each of the protrusions 26 c of the barrier drive ring 26 disengages from the drive pins 27 h of the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d. As a result, each of the rear pair of barrier blades 27 d closes by the spring force of the corresponding torsion spring 27 e, so that each of the front pair of barrier blades 27 c also closes via the corresponding engaging projections 27 j and 27 k to thereby close the photographic aperture 27 a (see FIG. 14). Conversely, when the zoom barrel advances from the accommodation position thereof to the telephoto extremity thereof, the driven lever 26 a moves forwards and then disengages from the rotation transfer recess 18 c to thereby allow the barrier drive ring 26 to rotate in the direction to open the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d by the spring force of the helical extension springs 28. As a result, each of the protrusions 26 c of the barrier drive ring 26 is engaged with the drive pin 27 h of the corresponding rear barrier blade 27 d to push the same in the direction to open the corresponding front barrier blade 27 c via the corresponding engaging projection 27 i to thereby open the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d. Accordingly, as can be understood by the above description, the two pairs of barrier blades 27 c and 27 d are driven to open and close by rotation of the barrier drive ring 26. It should be noted that the barrier drive ring 26 has only one driven lever 26 a, whereas the second cam barrel 18 has three rotation transfer recesses 18 c formed at 120° intervals about the axis of the second cam barrel 18. One rotation transfer recess 18 c which is actually used is freely selected from the three rotation transfer recesses 18 c during assembly.

[0063] The external barrel 25 that is guided in the optical axis direction moves forward and rearward in the optical axis direction by rotation of the second cam barrel 18 in the above described manner. On the other hand, the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 move forward and rearward in the optical axis direction by rotation of the first cam barrel 17. FIG. 12 shows the axial position of the sensitive surface (image plane) of the CCD 12 a on which subject images are formed through the photographic optical system, and the variations in the axial positions of the first lens group L1 (the principal point of the first lens group L1), the second lens group L2 (the principal point of the first lens group L2), and the barrier block 27 fixed to the front end of the external barrel 25 (more specifically, the photographic aperture 27 a formed on the panel 27 b of the barrier block 27), when the zoom lens is driven from the accommodation position to the wide-angle extremity via the telephoto extremity. The contours of the first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2 of the first cam barrel 17 and the guide grooves 18 b of the second cam barrel 18 are determined so that the first lens group L1, the second lens group L2 and the barrier block 27 move in the optical axis direction to have the moving paths shown in FIG. 12. The photographic aperture 27 a has a generally rectangular shape as viewed from the front of the digital camera. The angle of view in the diagonal direction of the photographic aperture 27 a is greater than the angle of view in the lateral (horizontal) direction of the photographic aperture 27 a, while the angle of view in the lateral direction of the photographic aperture 27 a is greater than the angle of view in the longitudinal (vertical) direction of the photographic aperture 27 a. In FIG. 10, an incident light ray S on the zoom lens along the angle of view in the longitudinal direction of the photographic aperture 27 a, an incident light ray M on the zoom lens along the angle of view in the lateral direction of the photographic aperture 27 a, and an incident light ray L on the zoom lens along the angle of view in the diagonal direction of the photographic aperture 27 a are shown by two-dot chain lines.

[0064] A light shield barrel 26 d which extends from the inner edge of the barrier drive ring 26 to the front end of the outer peripheral surface of the first lens frame 22 is adhered to the inner edge of the barrier drive ring 26 by an adhesive. The light shield barrel 26 d is rotationally symmetrical about the optical axis O, so that the shielding characteristics of the light shield barrel 26 d do not vary even if the light shield barrel 26 d rotates forwardly and reversely together with the barrier drive ring 26 about the optical axis O.

[0065] Almost all the above mentioned elements of the zoom lens except for each spring, the feed screw 10 e, the set screws 23 f, the follower pins 22 d, the follower pins 23 d, the shutter block 24, the radially inward pins 25 b, the flexible coding plate 14 and the brush 15 are made of synthetic resin. Although each lens element of the first, second and third lens groups L1, L2 and L3 can be made of a plastic, at least the frontmost lens element is preferably a glass lens for the purpose of preventing the front surface of the first lens group L1 from being scratched.

[0066] In the above illustrated embodiment, although the third lens group L3 functions as focusing lens group, the zoom lens can be modified so that the first lens group L1 or the second lens group L2 functions as focusing lens group. In the case where the second lens group L2 functions as focusing lens group, the shutter block can be modified to have an auto-focusing function. Such a shutter block is well-known in the art.

[0067] In the above described embodiment of the zoom lens, each of the first and second lens frames 22 and 23, which respectively hold the first and second lens groups L1 and L2, is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O by the engagement of each of the three square projections 22 c and corresponding each of the three square projections 23 c with each common corresponding linear guide slot of the three linear guide slots 16 c. At the same time, each follower pin 22 d penetrates through the corresponding linear guide slot 16 c of the linear guide barrel 16 to be engaged with the corresponding first cam groove 17C1 of the first cam barrel 17, which is fitted on the linear guide barrel 16 to be rotatable about the optical axis relative to linear guide barrel 16, while each follower pin 23 d penetrates through the corresponding linear guide slot 16 c of the linear guide barrel 16 to be engaged with the corresponding second cam groove 17C2 of the first cam barrel 17.

[0068] According to such a lens frame guiding structure, eccentricity between the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 does not occur easily. More specifically, if the linear guide barrel 16 is deformed slightly for some reason, eccentricity between the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 does not occur in the case that each of the three square projections 22 c and corresponding each of the three square projections 23 c are engaged with each common corresponding linear guide slot of the three linear guide slots 16 c, as compared with the case that each of the three square projections 22 c and corresponding each of the three square projections 23 c are engaged with different linear guide grooves. In addition, the first cam barrel 17 is fitted on the linear guide barrel 16, while the three follower pins 22 d and the three follower pins 23 d are respectively engaged with the first cam grooves 17C1 and the second cam grooves 17C2. Due to this structure, even if the first cam barrel 17 is deformed slightly for some reason, and if the first and second lens frames 22 and 23 deviate from the optical axis O by being respectively pressed radially by the bottoms of the first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2 due to the bottom of each of the first and second cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2 not being positioned precisely on a common imaginary cylinder, the first and second lens frames 22 and 23 deviate in the same radial direction. As a consequence, eccentricity between the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 does not occur easily. As has been described above, in the photographing lens system of a digital camera, the influence that eccentricity or tilt of one or more lens groups relative to another lens group or groups has upon the optical performance of the photographing optical system is larger than the influence of a deviation of one or more lens groups in the optical axis direction relative to another lens group or groups. Accordingly, with the lens frame guiding structure which makes eccentricity between lens groups difficult to occur, an excellent optical performance of the photographing optical system can be maintained.

[0069] More than one square projection 22 c of the first lens frame 22, each of which has one follower pin 22 d, can be provided at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, while more than one square projection 23 c of the second lens frame 23, each of which has one follower pin 23 d, can be provided at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction. Likewise, more than one linear guide slot 16 c of the linear guide barrel 16 can be provided at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, while more than one pair of cam grooves (i.e., one first cam groove 17C1 and the corresponding second cam groove 17C2) can be provided at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction. However, in the case of three square projections 22 c, each having one follower pin 22 d, being provided at 120° intervals; three square projections 23 c, each having one follower pin 23 d, being provided at 120° intervals; three linear guide slot 16 c being provided at 120° intervals; and three pairs of cam grooves 17C1 and 17C2 being provided at 120° intervals just like the above illustrated embodiment, the first and second lens frames 22 and 23 can be easily coupled to the linear guide barrel 16 and the first cam barrel 17 in a well-balanced manner with minimum eccentricity between the first and second lens frames 22 and 23.

[0070] The present invention can be applied to not only the above illustrated embodiment of the zoom lens having particular structure but also any other zoom lens, as long as the zoom lens has a plurality of lens frames, a linear guide barrel and a cam barrel.

[0071] Although the present invention is applied to the zoom lens of a digital camera, the present invention can be applied not only to a zoom lens of a digital camera, but also a zoom lens of a lens shutter type camera.

[0072] As can be understood from the foregoing, according to the present invention, in a zoom lens having a plurality of lens frames, a linear guide barrel and a cam barrel, a lens frame guiding mechanism which makes an eccentricity between lens groups hard to occur to thus prevent the optical performance of the zoom lens optical system from deteriorating due to the eccentricity can be obtained.

[0073] Obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the present invention described herein, such modifications being within the spirit and scope of the invention claimed. It is indicated that all matter contained herein is illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens, comprising: a plurality of lens frames each having a plurality of projections which extend radially outwards at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, wherein a cam follower is formed on each of said projections; a linear guide barrel provided around said plurality of lens frames, wherein said linear guide barrel is guided along the optical axis of said zoom lens without rotating; a plurality of linear guide slots formed on said linear guide barrel to extend parallel to said optical axis, wherein the number of said plurality of linear guide slots corresponds to the number of said plurality of projections of each of said lens frames so that said plurality of projections of each of said lens frames are respectively engaged in said plurality of linear guide slots to be slidable in a direction of said optical axis; a cam barrel fitted outside said linear guide barrel to be rotatable about said optical axis relative to said linear guide barrel; and a plurality of bottomed cam grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of said cam barrel for each of said plurality of lens frames, in which said plurality of cam followers of a corresponding lens frame of said plurality of lens frames are respectively engaged, wherein the profiles of said cam grooves for one of said plurality of lens frames is different from the profiles of said cam grooves for the other of said plurality of lens frames; wherein said plurality of lens frames are moved in the direction of said optical axis, without rotating about said optical axis, to change a focal length of said zoom lens via rotation of said cam barrel.
 2. The lens frame guiding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the number of said projections of each of said lens frames, the number of said linear guide slots of said linear guide barrel, and the number of said bottomed cam grooves of said cam barrel are three, respectively arranged at 120° equi-angular intervals.
 3. The lens frame guiding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said cam barrel is fitted on said linear guide barrel so as to be immovable in said direction of said optical axis relative to said linear guide barrel.
 4. The lens frame guiding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of projections is formed to have opposite faces extending parallel to each other so that said opposite faces are respectively in sliding contact with side faces of a corresponding linear guide slot of said plurality of linear guide slots.
 5. The lens frame guiding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said zoom lens is incorporated in a digital camera.
 6. A lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens, comprising: a first lens frame having a first group of three projections extending radially outwards at equi-angular intervals, each of said first group of three projections having a first cam follower; a second lens frame having a second group of three projections extending radially outwards at equi-angular intervals, each of said second group three projections having a second cam follower; a linear guide barrel provided around said first lens frame and said second lens frame, and guided in a direction of said optical axis without rotating about said optical axis; three linear guide slots formed on said linear guide barrel so as to extend parallel to said optical axis, said first group of three projections and said second group of three projections being slidably engaged in said three linear guide slots, respectively; a cam barrel fitted on said linear guide barrel to be rotatable about said optical axis relative to said linear guide barrel; a first group of three cam grooves which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of said cam barrel so that said three first cam followers are respectively engaged in said first three cam grooves; and a second group of three cam grooves which are formed on said inner peripheral surface of said cam barrel so that said three second cam followers are respectively engaged in said second group of three cam grooves, wherein said first and second lens frames are moved in said direction of said optical axis without rotating about said optical axis in a predetermined moving manner to change a focal length of said zoom lens by rotation of said cam barrel. 